I've mainly used Linux and macOS for a long time and am currently studying IT security. I recently finished a PowerShell module and have mostly relied on aliases that resemble Linux commands, but I'd like to build a stronger understanding of PowerShell itself. I'm looking for educational content that can be completed in short or medium-sized sessions, along with practical ways to develop the skills through regular use. My classwork is done in a Kali Linux virtual machine, and I'm considering using PowerShell as my primary shell for a few weeks instead of my usual terminal.
4 Answers
Try PSKoans if you prefer learning by doing. It gives you small exercises that gradually become more challenging, and most of them are short enough to finish during a lunch break.
PowerShell in a Month of Lunches is a solid choice. It breaks the material into manageable lessons, so you can make steady progress without needing huge study sessions.
The built-in about_* help topics are worth working through. Together, they cover a huge amount of PowerShell’s fundamentals and function almost like a detailed reference manual. Also, you don’t have to change terminal applications—PowerShell can run inside whichever terminal you already prefer.
Using PowerShell regularly is probably the easiest way to become comfortable with it. Your familiar Bash commands are still available as programs on the PATH, so you can use them while gradually learning PowerShell syntax and equivalents. Start with a few core tools: use `help ` with options such as `-Examples` or `-Detailed`, use `Get-Command` (or `gcm`) with wildcards to discover commands like `*csv*` and `*json*`, and practice composing pipelines with filtering, iteration, and property selection. Once those patterns click, PowerShell becomes much easier to use. It’s also useful to learn the basics of arrays such as `$array = @()` and dictionaries such as `$dict = @{}`.
That sounds like a great fit. I’ll give it a try while keeping up with my classwork.